2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16
The largest helicopters in the world differ primarily in their weight, and not in length, width or propeller diameter. Judging by this criterion, the leading position in this regard belongs to the domestic representative - MI-26. The machine is one of the few on the planet that is capable of lifting heavy loads equal to its own. The model is still being mass-produced even now, despite the fact that the development of the giant was carried out back in the mid-seventies of the last century. The largest helicopter in the world is usually used for medical, as well as military transport and civil transport purposes. For all the time, more than three hundred units of this model have been built, which are now used in many countries in all corners of the planet.
History of Creation
The need to develop a new model was dictated by the needs of not only the Soviet army, but also the national economy. The government of the country put forward a requirement to the developers that the novelty should have the ability to transport cargo weighing up to 20 tons over a distance of up to 500 km and performother tasks at a distance of up to 1000 km. At the same time, the model was supposed to replace the largest helicopter in the world at that time, which was the MI-6. The layout was accepted by the state commission in 1975. Two years later, the first copy of the model took off, where he spent about three minutes. Initially, only military modifications were built, and a few years later, the creation of civilian versions also started.
Power
The largest MI-26 helicopter has a power plant, which consists of two turbocharged D-136 engines. Its total power is 22,000 horsepower. The motors were developed and created specifically for this model by the Zaporozhye enterprise Motor Sich. The engines are so strong that together with a 40-ton machine (taking into account 12 tons of fuel) they can also lift a load weighing 20 tons and transport it over a distance of up to 2350 km. The fuel consumption of the power plant is a little over 3 tons of fuel per hour of operation, while the cost of one flight hour is estimated at 600,000 rubles. The largest helicopter in the world has a cargo compartment 12 m long and just over 3 m wide. Its usable area makes it possible to transport almost any military equipment, which is loaded through the tail hatch under its own power. The machine can simultaneously transport 68 paratroopers or 82 soldiers, and special equipment allows it to be quickly converted into an ambulance helicopter that can accommodate up to 60 wounded on stretchers and three medical workers.
Civil modification
The civilian version of the model was named MI-26T. Its production started in early 1985. Unlike its military version, the navigation system has been changed in the car, and there are also no installations designed for the location of small arms. In addition, the largest civilian helicopter in the world has acquired an external suspension system, the main function of which is the ability to transport standard-sized sea containers without the involvement of riggers. Among other things, the modification also has an automatic gripper, which makes it easy to move large diameter pipes, as well as transport wood mined in the mountains.
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